Quick answer: Whether you can reinstall a deleted eSIM depends on the specific plan and provider rules. Some eSIMs can be downloaded again with the original QR code or manual details, some support reinstallation only on the same device, some allow a limited number of transfers, and others cannot be recovered after deletion. Do not immediately buy another plan or repeatedly scan the QR code. Check the reinstall status, validity period, and installation details in your Caylet order, and contact support if the rules are unclear.

The first question most travelers ask after deleting an eSIM is:

Can I scan the original QR code again?

There is no universal yes-or-no answer.

Reinstallation may depend on:

• The exact product and underlying provider.
• Whether the QR code is single-use.
• Whether the profile is bound to the original device.
• Whether reinstallation is restricted to the same phone.
• Whether transfer to another phone is supported.
• The maximum number of installations.
• Whether the plan is still valid.
• Whether data has already been used.
• Whether an add-on depends on the original base profile.
• Whether the provider can issue replacement installation details.

The correct first step is to determine whether you turned the eSIM off or actually erased it, then check the order-specific reinstall policy.

Turning off an eSIM vs. deleting an eSIM

These are different actions.

Turning off an eSIM

Turning off the line temporarily stops the phone from using it.

The eSIM profile normally remains saved and can be enabled again later.

Common labels include:

Turn On This Line
Use SIM
Enable
Turn off

Turning off is appropriate when:

• You have not reached the destination.
• You temporarily do not want to use the plan.
• You are troubleshooting connectivity.
• The trip has ended but you may still need the plan details.
• You want to switch to another SIM.

Deleting an eSIM

Deleting removes the downloaded eSIM profile from the device.

Common labels include:

Delete eSIM
Remove Cellular Plan
Erase eSIM
Remove

After deletion:

• The line no longer appears in SIM settings.
• The phone cannot use that profile.
• The original QR code may no longer work.
• The plan itself may remain active.
• The provider account or contract may remain unchanged.
• Add-on data may still depend on the deleted base profile.
• Support may need to issue new installation details.

Samsung’s official guidance also notes that removing an eSIM plan from a Galaxy phone does not itself cancel the service or contract with the carrier.

Confirm that the eSIM was actually deleted

Some users have only disabled, renamed, or switched away from the line.

iPhone

Go to:

Settings → Cellular

Look for labels such as:

• Travel.
• Secondary.
• Business.
• Caylet eSIM.
• No Number.
• A custom label you previously created.

You can also go to:

Settings → General → About

and check whether the related ICCID still appears.

Apple may label the section Mobile Data instead of Cellular in some regions.

Samsung Galaxy

Settings → Connections → SIM manager

Check whether the eSIM still exists but is turned off.

Google Pixel

Settings → Network & internet → SIMs

Check whether Use SIM is simply disabled.

If the profile is still present, you do not need to reinstall it. Turn it back on, select it for mobile data, and enable roaming when required.

Does deleting the eSIM cancel the plan?

Do not assume that it does.

Deleting the device profile does not necessarily:

• Cancel the order.
• Create a refund.
• Stop the validity countdown.
• End the carrier service.
• Restore used data.
• Pause an activated plan.

If plan validity has already started, it may continue while the profile is missing.

Check the order immediately rather than waiting until the end of the trip.

When might an eSIM be reinstallable?

Reinstallation is more likely when:

• The order explicitly says reinstallation is supported.
• The original QR code remains valid.
• The installation or activation deadline has not passed.
• The plan is still active.
• The profile can be downloaded again to the same EID.
• The provider supports replacement installation details.
• The installation-count limit has not been reached.
• The old device profile has been removed and transfer is allowed.
• Support has confirmed that you may proceed.

Some products allow only:

• Reinstallation on the original phone.
• Redownload to the same EID.
• A limited number of reinstalls.
• Transfer after deletion from the old device.
• Reissue through customer support.

“Reinstall supported” does not automatically mean “freely transferable to any phone.”

When might recovery be impossible?

Reinstallation may not be possible when:

• The QR code permits only one download.
• The provider does not support reissuing the profile.
• The profile is locked to the original device.
• The plan has expired or is depleted.
• The installation or activation deadline has passed.
• The reinstall limit has been reached.
• The product is marked as non-reinstallable.
• The order was cancelled or refunded.
• An add-on requires the original base profile.
• Neither the QR code nor manual details can be retrieved.

Do not guess when the order does not show a clear policy.

Step 1: Check the Caylet order

Look for:

• Plan name.
• Order status.
• Activation status.
• Validity period.
• Remaining data.
• Installation deadline.
• Activation deadline.
• QR code.
• SM-DP+ address.
• Activation code.
• Reinstall or transfer policy.
• Installation count.
• Replacement availability.

The order may show statuses such as:

Reinstall supported
Same-device reinstall only
Transfer supported
Contact support
Not reinstallable
Expired
Depleted

Follow the policy for that specific product.

Step 2: Retrieve the QR code and manual details

Check:

• The order confirmation email.
• The Caylet order page.
• A securely saved PDF or image.
• The installation email.
• A saved SM-DP+ address and activation code.

Do not obtain or use someone else’s QR code. Installation details normally correspond to a specific profile.

If the details are missing, contact Caylet support to check whether they can be displayed again or reissued.

Step 3: Restart the phone first

Restart the device before entering the Add eSIM flow.

A restart can refresh:

• The SIM manager.
• Profile-download status.
• Carrier settings.
• Incomplete installation records.

Do not scan the same code repeatedly before restarting.

Step 4: Confirm compatibility and carrier-unlocked status

Reinstallation still requires:

• An eSIM-compatible phone.
• A carrier-unlocked device.
• A supported operating system.
• Space for another saved profile.
• No work or school management restriction blocking eSIM setup.

If you are moving to a different phone, check the new phone’s full model number and sales region.

How to reinstall an eSIM on iPhone

Proceed only after confirming that the plan supports reinstallation.

Scan the QR code

Go to:

Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Use QR Code

Scan the original QR code or a replacement issued by support.

Enter the details manually

Go to:

Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Use QR Code → Enter Details Manually

Enter:

• SM-DP+ address.
• Activation code.
• Confirmation code, if required.

If you see:

This code is no longer valid
Unable to Activate eSIM
Plan already in use

stop retrying. Check whether the profile was actually added, then contact support.

After reinstallation

1. Give the line a clear label.
2. Select it for cellular data.
3. Enable data roaming when required.
4. Disable unnecessary data switching.
5. Toggle Airplane Mode.
6. Turn off Wi-Fi and test.

How to reinstall an eSIM on Samsung Galaxy

Go to:

Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Add eSIM

Then:

• Scan the QR code.
• Enter an activation code.
• Use device transfer only when both the product and phone support it.

A common removal path is:

Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Select eSIM → Turn off → Remove

Removing the plan from the phone does not itself cancel provider service.

After adding it again:

1. Make sure the eSIM is enabled.
2. Select it for mobile data.
3. Enable data roaming when required.
4. Select the correct APN.
5. Restart the phone.

How to reinstall an eSIM on Google Pixel

Go to:

Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Add SIM → Set up an eSIM

Scan the QR code or use the manual option offered by the phone.

A common Pixel deletion path is:

Settings → Network & internet → Mobile network → Select eSIM → Erase eSIM

Menu names can vary by Android version.

The provider may need to activate or assign the eSIM again before reinstallation. If the phone cannot find the plan, contact support rather than factory-resetting the device.

What if the original QR code says it is no longer valid?

First check whether the eSIM was added again.

If the profile appears in SIM settings, do not scan it again.

If it is absent and you see:

This code is no longer valid
QR code expired
Plan already in use

the cause may be:

• The QR code was already used.
• The code expired.
• The provider recorded a completed profile download.
• The profile remains bound to the old device.
• A replacement installation code is required.

Contact support to check provider-side status.

Can the eSIM be installed on a different phone?

Not always.

Reinstalling on the same device

Some products allow the deleted profile to be downloaded again to the same EID.

Transferring to another device

Some products require:

• Removing the profile from the old phone first.
• A new QR code.
• The operating system’s transfer function.
• Support to release the old device binding.
• Staying within a transfer-count limit.

Other products do not support cross-device transfer at all. If you are upgrading to a new phone, see Can You Transfer an eSIM to a New Phone?.

Before installing on the new phone, confirm:

• Whether the old phone is still accessible.
• Whether the old profile must be deleted first.
• Whether the new phone is compatible.
• Whether the plan is already active.
• Whether enough validity remains.
• Whether the old EID binding must be released.

What if the old phone is lost or broken?

If you cannot remove the profile from the old device:

1. Sign in to the Caylet account.
2. Check whether transfer without the old device is supported.
3. Contact support.
4. Provide the order number and new phone model.
5. Share an EID or IMEI only through a secure support channel when required.
6. Wait for confirmation that the provider can release or reissue the profile.

A lost phone does not automatically guarantee a replacement profile.

Does a factory reset delete eSIMs?

Device and reset flows may offer a choice to keep or delete eSIMs.

Apple’s current reset process allows the user to choose whether to keep or erase the eSIM. If it is erased, the carrier or provider may need to reactivate the plan.

When selling, trading in, or giving away a phone, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for removing personal data and eSIMs.

Do not factory-reset a phone merely to troubleshoot a travel eSIM.

Can deletion affect add-on data?

Yes.

Some top-ups or add-ons are not separate eSIM profiles. They depend on the original base profile.

Deleting the base eSIM may mean:

• The add-on cannot be used.
• The same base profile must be reinstalled.
• Buying a new eSIM will not necessarily receive the old add-on.
• The original ICCID may need to remain the same.

Check the dependency before deleting a base profile with an add-on.

Do you need to buy a new plan?

Do not buy one immediately.

First confirm:

• Whether the original plan can be reinstalled.
• Whether support can issue replacement details.
• Whether data remains.
• Whether the plan has expired.
• Whether a refund or replacement policy applies.
• Whether buying again would create a duplicate order.

Buy a new plan only after confirming that the original profile cannot be recovered and you still need service.

What not to try first

• Do not repeatedly scan an invalid QR code.
• Do not factory-reset the phone.
• Do not erase all eSIMs.
• Do not delete other active lines.
• Do not root, modify CSC, or flash firmware.
• Do not buy an unofficial “eSIM recovery tool.”
• Do not publish the QR code, ICCID, EID, IMEI, or activation code.
• Do not assume deletion pauses plan validity.
• Do not delete your eSIM to fix slow speeds. Deleting and reinstalling usually doesn't improve speed; see our eSIM Slow Data Troubleshooting Guide.

What to prepare before contacting support

Prepare:

• Order number.
• eSIM product name.
• Time of deletion.
• Whether the plan ever worked.
• Whether the plan was activated.
• Remaining data and validity.
• Old phone brand, model, and sales region.
• Whether you want to reinstall on the same phone.
• Whether you want to move to a new phone.
• Full model number of the new phone.
• Whether the original QR code is available.
• Complete error message.
• EID or IMEI only through a secure channel when required.

Do not post full device identifiers in public comments or social media.

Quick recovery checklist

• I confirmed that the eSIM was deleted, not merely disabled.
• I checked order validity and remaining data.
• I checked the reinstall or transfer policy.
• I retrieved the QR code or manual details.
• I restarted the phone.
• The phone supports eSIM and is unlocked.
• I have not repeatedly scanned the QR code.
• I know whether this is a same-device reinstall or a transfer.
• I checked whether an add-on depends on the base profile.
• I have not factory-reset the phone.
• I have not bought a duplicate plan.
• I have the required information ready for support.

Frequently asked questions

Can the original QR code always be reused after deleting an eSIM?

No. Some codes can be reused, some permit only one successful download, and others require support to issue replacement details.

Does turning off an eSIM delete it?

No. Turning off the line normally leaves the profile saved on the phone.

Does deleting an eSIM cancel or refund the plan?

Do not assume that it does. Removing the device profile may not cancel the order, stop validity, or trigger a refund.

Can I reinstall it on the same phone?

Some products support same-device reinstallation and others do not. Check the order-specific policy.

Can I move it to another phone?

Only some products support transfer, and the old profile may need to be deleted or released by support.

Can it be recovered if the old phone is broken?

It depends on the product. Support may need to verify the order and ask the provider to release or reissue the profile.

Does deletion pause an active plan?

Usually not. The validity period may continue.

Does “This code is no longer valid” mean the eSIM is permanently lost?

Not necessarily. First check whether the profile already exists, then ask support to check download and replacement status.

Will a factory reset fix it?

It generally should not be used for this purpose. A reset can remove more data and does not guarantee that the eSIM can be reissued.

Should I buy the plan again?

Wait until support confirms that the original plan cannot be reinstalled, so you do not create a duplicate order.

Official references

• Apple: How to erase the eSIM on your iPhone or iPad
• Apple: Erase and reset your iPhone
• Apple: Set up eSIM on iPhone
• Samsung: How to use an eSIM with your Galaxy phone
• Samsung: Galaxy eSIM and supported network carriers
• Google Pixel: Use Dual SIMs
• Google Pixel: Set up a new eSIM

Reinstall eligibility, attempt limits, same-device restrictions, cross-device transfer, and replacement policies must be confirmed through the relevant Caylet order or support.

Summary

If you accidentally delete an eSIM, do not immediately buy another plan.

Use this process:

1. Confirm that the profile was actually deleted.
2. Check whether the order is still valid.
3. Check whether the product supports reinstallation.
4. Retrieve the QR code and manual details.
5. Decide whether this is a same-device reinstall or a transfer.
6. Restart the phone.
7. Add the eSIM through the official setup path.
8. Stop repeatedly scanning if the code is invalid.
9. Contact support to check provider-side status.
10. Buy a new plan only after confirming that the original cannot be recovered.

Deleting the eSIM removes the device profile. It does not automatically cancel the plan, pause validity, or guarantee that the profile can be downloaded again.